NEW local businesses have scooped awards at last Thursday's Tees New Business Awards 2021, held at Kirkleatham Walled Garden near Redcar.
Each Redcar and Cleveland-based business was alerted to the awards and entry process by the council's Business Engagement Team, then put through a shortlisting process to select three finalists per category.
The Business Engagement Team, headed up by Clare Stanton, has supported the businesses in various ways since their start-up; from advice on business plans and marketing opportunities, guidance on necessary certificates and licensing, all the way through to help with funding and grants.
No-one has appreciated the receival of a grant more than winners of the Best New Hospitality Business award, Jules France and Ashley Thirlwell. Their hospitality and events company, Space Meetings and Events, missed out on major revenue during its fledgling months, when all events were cancelled as a result of the national lockdown.
“We applied for funding during the pandemic and the council were so helpful," says Jules.
“Michael Spayne from the Business Engagement Team couldn't have done more for us; he was amazing in guiding us through the application process and we were delighted to receive a grant which helped no end - we're certain that it helped us keep our heads above water.
“We were delighted to be shortlisted for the awards, as it puts us firmly on the map with the business community in Teesside and the Tees Valley. We launched our business in January 2020, before having to spend weeks cancelling all the live events we'd been planning for months. The live event sector was decimated but we were quick to react and pivoted towards virtual events, elite sports team travel and corporate gifting and engagement boxes. We ultimately managed more than £500,000 in revenues amidst the rest of the pandemic and we're now on track to become the largest MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conference, Events) agency in the North-East."
The Best New Entrepreneur award went to Sarah Thompson, a Moorsholm native and owner of TOM-O, whose business produces sustainable fashion items by recreating clothes planned for landfill and turning them into new, unique garments available to buy through her website, www.tom-o.com.
Sarah contacted the Business Engagement team during lockdown 2020 after returning to Teesside from London. The team was able to provide early-stage business support, referring her to Enterprise Made Simple. Fast forward to mid-2021, and Sarah was looking to begin trading. She became one of the first recipients of the council's Business Start-Up Acceleration Grant pilot in July of this year:
“It felt amazing to receive the award and to be surrounded by so many new businessmen and women from the area who are doing fantastic things," she said. “I moved back to the area from London after losing my job - as a result of Covid - so to come home and set up a business here has meant so much to me.
“I got in touch with the council and their Business Engagement team have been such a great support in so many ways from day one, putting me in touch with Enterprise Made Simple, who have just been amazing too. I feel incredibly lucky to live in an area that support new businesses."
Clare Stanton, Business Engagement team manager, said:
“It's great to be able to support local residents to set up their own business. Sarah was very focused on her business idea when we initially spoke during the early lockdown. We supported her in further developing her business plan, then later with funding to purchase an industrial sewing machine. We're delighted to see Sarah receive this year's award for Best Entrepreneur, which is well deserved and rewards her vision and determination to succeed."
Councillor Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:
“It is fantastic news that these inspiring new local businesses, who had already cemented excellent relationships with our Business Engagement team, have now been helped to receive the recognition they so deserve. We live in an area with many creative and entrepreneurial minds. Any help they can be given to succeed and support the local economy in general is very worthwhile."
The full list of Redcar and Cleveland winners and nominees are:
Best New Retail Business winner: Audrey Alice Clothing Boutique – Joanne Bell
Best New Hospitality Business winner: Space Meetings and Events, Jules France and Ashley Thirlwell
Best New Entrepreneur winner: TOM-O – Sarah Thompson
Best New Manufacturing nominee: ZAPNCRAFT - Phil Hudson
Best New Community Champion nominee: Redcar | Cleveland and Beyond – Beth Hodgson
Best New Retail nominee: Sugar Noms – Kay Tarry
Best New Entrepreneur nominee: The Brown Box – Joanna Wilson
Best New Apprentice nominee – Leisha White at Beyond Housing
If you'd like to get in touch with the Business Engagement Team, contact:
E: business@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
W: www.BusinessRedcarCleveland.co.uk
T: 01643 444366
Twitter: BusinessInRC